The effect on its Irish operations of DIY chain B&Q’s imminent closure of 60 stores across the UK and Ireland remains unclear.

The ranks of female bosses in the FTSE 100 Index are to be boosted after Britain’s biggest DIY chain announced a change in leadership.

Shares in Kingfisher, Europe’s biggest home improvements retailer, fell 6% yesterday as pressure on profit margins and a smaller-than-expected sales boost from warmer weather pushed first- quarter earnings below forecasts.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today posted a 4% rise in annual profits amid signs that it is benefiting from the upturn in the UK housing market.

Home improvement chain B&Q posted a 6.4% drop in sales today after poor weather and more consumer caution led to a “tough” winter quarter.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said the wettest summer in 100 years cost the group £30m (€37.5m) in profit as demand for gardening and outdoor maintenance plunged.

More positive signs from the US failed to lift London’s leading shares index today as fears over the eurozone and a credit agency warning to banks rattled investors.

B&Q owner Kingfisher says that it planned to step up its expansion after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said it planned to step up its expansion today after delivering higher profits in the teeth of the economic downturn.

KINGFISHER Plc, Europe’s largest home-improvement retailer, reported a smaller drop in sales at its B&Q shops than analysts had anticipated and said it expects revenue to improve in the year’s final quarter.

B&Q owner Kingfisher said quarterly sales at the UK’s biggest DIY chain remained under pressure after shoppers put off “big-ticket” purchases.

Shares in B&Q owner Kingfisher got an unscheduled boost today after it emerged the company racked up better-than-forecast half-year profits.

The FTSE 100 Index was forced onto the back foot today after stocks were dealt a late blow by poor economic news from the US.

Shares in nuclear power generator British Energy were down 4% today after the company failed to reach a takeover agreement with French suitor EDF.

B&Q owner Kingfisher is expected to slash its dividend on the back of a major business review, it was reported today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher revealed weaker UK sales figures today as it braced itself for a further softening in consumer demand in the coming months.

Home improvement retailer B&Q posted its first quarter of underlying sales growth for two years today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher raised hopes of a long-awaited sales revival today, despite seeing trading conditions remain tough in the UK.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today agreed to sell seven stores for £198m (€287.47m) in a bid to provide stability for the ailing DIY giant.

Resolution Life is planning the biggest rights issue in the City for four years to finance the £3.5bn (€5.1bn) purchase of Abbey National’s life insurance business, it was reported today.

EUROPE’S top home-improvement retailer, Kingfisher Plc, posted a near-halving of first-quarter profit yesterday, and said it was still struggling with weak consumer demand in its core home market.

B&Q owner Kingfisher today said soaring utility costs, household debt and fears over the housing market had all contributed to a sharp decline in profits.

B&Q owner Kingfisher revealed a 16% slump in profits at the home improvement retail outlets today as it warned that trading conditions had remained “challenging” in recent weeks.

Private equity groups are lining up takeover bids for the owner of DIY chain B&Q, it emerged today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher highlighted the struggle facing UK retailers today as it warned first quarter profits were likely to be 15% lower than in 2004.

More than 36,000 employees of B&Q will not receive an annual bonus for 2004 after sales were hit by poor weather and tougher trading conditions, it emerged today.

B&Q owner Kingfisher reported a “weak” start to its financial year today after the recent cold snap deterred customers in the UK and France.

The London market ended near its opening mark today after Wall Street opened down on renewed US rate rise fears.

The FTSE 100 index maintained its recent rally today as investors warmed to upbeat news in the oil and media sectors.

Retail group Kingfisher today swept aside fears of a slowdown in the DIY market by reporting a 6% hike in sales at its B&Q chain.

Concerns over the current mood of the UK consumer will be put to the test this week when two of the biggest names in the retail arena – Next and B&Q owner Kingfisher – step forward with figures.

British retail group Kingfisher today overcame the impact of poor weather on sales of seasonal ranges to post a 16.5% rise in profits at its core B&Q chain.

Retail giant Kingfisher today dismissed reports it was gearing up to sell its electrical business in a £3bn (€4.69bn) deal.

Marks & Spencer remains Europe’s number one clothing retailer thanks to the resilience of British consumers, a new report showed today.

The FTSE 100 Index is down 16.5 at 4599.1 after an hour's trading.

The FTSE 100 Index closed 10.6 points lower at 5248.5, as falls among retail stocks offset some strong gains.